Private Acts of 1982 Chapter 240

SECTION 1. Effective September 1, 1982, the Court of General Sessions of Houston County shall exercise, in addition to the same jurisdiction as is conferred by law upon the courts of general sessions, exclusive juvenile jurisdiction. When exercising such jurisdiction, the general sessions judge shall have all jurisdiction, authority, powers and duties conferred or imposed by Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37 or any other law relating to the disposition of juveniles.

SECTION 2. Effective September 1, 1982, any person or court exercising jurisdiction conferred upon the Court of General Sessions by the provisions of this act shall be divested of such jurisdiction. All matters within the jurisdiction of the General Sessions Court created by this act, except those matters which have been heard and taken under advisement, shall be transferred to such General Sessions Court at the close of business on the day preceding the day such court is created. On such date, all official books, records and other documents pertaining to a matter within the jurisdiction of the General Sessions Court shall be delivered to such court.

SECTION 3. At the August general election in 1982, and every eight (8) years thereafter, a person shall be elected as General Sessions judge for a term of eight years by the qualified voters of Houston County. Such person shall possess all of the qualifications required for judges of inferior courts and shall be licensed to practice law in this state. Such Judge shall have the same authority, powers and duties provided by law for judges of Courts of General Sessions.

SECTION 4. (a) The compensation of the judge of the Court of General Sessions of Houston County shall be in the same amount as provided by law and a supplement of four thousand seven hundred dollars ($4,700) a year for compensation for service as the judge exercising juvenile jurisdiction. The compensation shall be payable in equal monthly installments from county funds appropriated for such purpose.

(b) Beginning September 1, 1982, the compensation supplement of such judge shall be the amount fixed in subsection (a) of this section adjusted to reflect the percentage of change in the consumer price index between that of the calendar year 1981 and the calendar year next preceding September 1 of the year for which the salaries are to be paid. The adjustments shall occur on September 1, 1983, and on September 1 of every year thereafter for the ensuing year commencing September 1. As used in this subsection "consumer price index" shall mean the consumer price index (all items--United States city average) as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Provided, however, the amount of adjustment authorized by this subsection shall not exceed seven percent (7%) for a given year.

SECTION 5. This act shall not be construed to prohibit the judge of the Court of General Sessions of Houston County from the private practice of law except that the judge shall be prohibited from practicing law in any matter over which the Court of General Sessions of Houston County may exercise jurisdiction.

SECTION 6. The Circuit Court Clerk shall be the Clerk of the General Sessions Court as established by this act. Such clerk shall keep separate records, dockets, minutes books and rule dockets for all general sessions matters and all juvenile matters within the jurisdiction of the sessions court. The Circuit Court Clerk shall be empowered to designate one (1) or more employees as deputies from time to time to be deputy clerk for juvenile matters. The Circuit Court Clerk shall also be authorized to issue warrants, petitions, and other process and notices, as necessary.

SECTION 7. This act shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of Houston County. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the county legislative body and certified by him to the Secretary of State.

SECTION 8. For the purpose of approving or rejecting the provisions of this act, it shall be effective upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, it shall become effective upon being approved as provided in Section 7.

Passed: March 11, 1982